Customer Reviews

Labcabincalifornia

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
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The Pharcyde returned in 1995 three years after their debut album, a debut that was one of the best of all time and the most entertaining hip hop album I've ever heard. For their sophomore album, however, the Los Angeles quartet of Booty Brown, Slimkid Tre, Imani Wilcox, and Fatlip showed a totally new and refreshing style. Where "Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde" showed a group of hilarious and immature juveniles joking and discussing issues facing teens over cartoon-style beats, "Labcabincalifornia" displays men who have matured into adulthood and now celebrate the essence of hip hop. Lyrically, the MCs are less frequently humorous and much more intelligent sounding, dropping numerous verses that make you want to check the liner notes and read all the lyrics. They also use their interesting voices more creatively, often harmonizing and singing. But the real treat of this album that makes it stand apart from their debut is the production. This album has a very smooth and focused tone that is very unique, thanks to Jay Dee's influence, the amazing producer who produces most of the cuts on the album. I think that on "Labcabincalifornia," the Pharcyde took some cues from Hieroglyphics and some of the later Native Tongues to make a more mature and artistic album that stands apart but is equally as enjoyable as their debut.

The album begins with the excellent "Bulls...," a laidback sounding cut where the rappers deliver inspirational lyrics that inspire to forget worries and troubles and "stop fightin' that feelin'." The next song, "Pharcyde," is a little more introductory and allows the group to represent themselves over a nice beat. "Groupie Therapy" speaks fondly of the Pharcyde's interactions with women throughout their lives, on a song produced by East Coast producer Diamond D. The true standout of the tracklist is "Runnin'," possibly the best song of the group's catalog. This song has deep lyrics discusses dealing with problems and an awesome, signature-styled musical backing from Jay Dee. I also love "She Said," a slow groove that just sounds happy and makes my head nod. "Splattitorium" and "Somethin' That Means Somethin'" are two good songs that precede the great "Drop." "Hey You" provides more of the tight focused sound that makes "Labcabincalifornia" so excellent, and "Y?" has the MCs asking why life has to be so hard through their struggles. "Moment in Time" is a musical highlight, and "Hustle" is an interesting song where the group lends the microphone to some unknown rappers. "Devil Music" is a humorous and catchy song, and "The E.N.D." ends the album on a good note.

I highly recommend that fans of lyrical and artistic hip hop check out "Labcabincalifornia." Those who liked the Pharcyde's debut or are fans of artists like Souls of Mischief, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Common, and other like-minded rappers will love this album. This is one of the finest works of the awesome underground hip hop wave of the mid nineties and I highly suggest listeners give it a purchase.

This album is incredible. Some albums take you back to a certain time and place and this is one of them. The rappers in pharcyde perfectly complement each other, whether rapping about girls, fame, life, funny stuff, or sad stories. Its got a darker edge to it than Bizarre Ride and a real reflective laid back mood. Soulful hiphop. Pick it up.

The Pharcyde's second album was "Labcabincalifornia" (1995). The Los Angeles group consisted of Derrick "Fatlip" Stewart Tre "Slimkid" Hardson, Imani Wilcox, and Romye "Booty Brown" Robinson. Pharcyde, Slum Village's Jay Dee, M. Walk and Diamond D produced this 17 track release. The albums opener Jay Dee produced "Bull****" is a dope track which was an immediate head nodder. My favorite track on this release is "Runnin", a smooth track, the Pharcyde drop some memorable lyrics and a chorus to remember. On "Something That Means Somethin" the Pharcyde drops some conscious lyrics, while ripping up "Drop" with fast paced rhymes. "Y?" has the Pharcyde talking about betrayals and the ups and downs of life. A short interlude follows, then Slim Kid shines on the premium M-Walk produced "Moment In Time", a track dedicated to those who died to young. The Pharcyde talk about their ambitions to make it on "Hustle". Backed by some heavier sounding beats, Pharcyde then deliver "Devil Music". The album closes off with the "The E.N.D.", a track, which has the Pharcyde giving thanks, Kamau delivers a memorable on point guest verse. The Pharcyde delivered original and memorable music with their last major release "Labcabincalifornia".

This album single-handedly got me into hip hop music when i was a mere 10 years of age. Originally I only saw the surface of the music... good though it was, I was unable to fully appreciate it. Upon listening to it, almost religiously at times, I discovered the album's true brilliance. Most people would argue that Bizarre Ride II shows the band at their best, but I would not agree. I'm not doubting the excellence of BRII, but this just leaves me 'shocked and amazed' every time. Funny at times, deep at times, sad at times... it just goes through all the emotions... well for me anyway! Definitely worth buying!

i love that video and this cd so much this guys dont care what everyone else is doing unlike followers of hip hop today they did what there personalitys are not what main stream record companies want there artists to do so drop down to th record store (pun attended) and pick up this biazzare ride to the pharcyde

Favorite Track:Drop and Runnin
Guests:None

9 of 10 lyrics 9 of 10 beats

Labcabincalifornia is one of the most complete hip-hop albums ever made. Each beat is original and carries a different element that makes it unique from the others. The lyrics on the album are unbeatable. Slimkid has the most distinctive and unique voice of anyone out there, and FatLip, Imani, and Bootie Brown are all unbelievably skilled. The way they tell stories, which also shone on Bizarre Ride, is what sets them apart. If you want a real hip-hop album, stay away from the mainstream and buy this album, and when you have it, listen to every song on it, I can't recommend one over any other. BUY THIS ALBUM

This is one of a kind, truly, and it's in one word amazing. The beats are just great and the lyrics are some of the best ever, especially compared to all that gangsta [garbage], which I've heard too much these days. The first song I heard from these guys was Drop, which is still one of the best hiphop songs ever, IMHO, along with Hell On Earth from Mobb Deep and some other ill tracks from other artists (Mos Def, Roots, Cannibal Ox). I think these guys are on of the top hiphop groups around, placing them in line with names as the earlier mentioned Mobb Deep, Mos Def and The Roots, which are all fabulous hiphop artists. This album proves it.

This is deifinately one of the most solid rap albums I have ever come across. I had just started to become so sick of all the new "gangsta" rap that was coming out by artists who seemed like they were just spittin about the streets because it was makin them money. The Pharcyde finally comes through with some UNIQUE topics that vary from your average crap that is starting to make me sick to my stomach. This is a breath of fresh air from an original California based hip-hop crew. Pick this up if you want a solid performance that relies more on original lyrics, vocals, and content, rather than slickly produced, radio friendly beats with words placed over the top of them.

Yo another album that came out during hip hop's GOLDEN ERA (1988-1996).Jay dees production is top notch WOW what an album,I remember copping this Cypress Hill's -- Temple of Boom,Goodie Mob's -- Soul food,Erick Sermon's -- Double or Nothing & Kool G Rap's -- 4,5,6 on the same day yo word to god I wish the hand of the clock could turn back to 1995 a very very good good year for hip hop 92,93,94 & 96 also I missed those days.Majority of my hip hop collections I say 95% were from those days (1992-1996) TO ALL HIP HOP HEADZ GO RETRO SON REAL HIP HOP IS DEAD.

This album along with Illadelphi halflife by the roots is my favourite hip hop album. It has depth due to Tre hardson giving it some soulful background vocals and rapping, Bootie Brown with a distinguished style and Slim kid 3 who matches Bootie throughout. The integration of samples into the tunes works superbly as you aren't aware of how much sampling goes on until you look in the CD sleave. Its much more mainstream than other Pharcyde albums released previously and signified the short entry on the big stage. An album which doesn't just talk about the hood in general but covers personal problems such as the most famous "runnin'" which is a true classic. Full of metaphors and intelligent writing that leaves you thinking of inner meanings but at the same time light sounding, soulful, jazzy, vibrant and fresh. If you've been listening to hardcore hip hop for years realised that all of it is the same (as did I) and are looking for a more intelligent album that comes from the soul buy this beauty.